The Iberchem global fragrance and flavour group has confirmed the opening of a new creative centre in Mumbai, India, to expand its international operations, including with confectionery-based ranges.

As the company revealed to Confectionery Production, its latest facility based in the Goregaon district will host the activities across the business, featuring a full team of lab specialists, perfumers and support staff.

The new site will also include its Scentium flavours division, which has applications within confectionery such as hard boiled candies, chewy candies, gum and gummies, as well as for baked goods.

According to the company, the significant investment reflects India’s importance to the group, which already has a production centre in Ahmedabad, launched in 2010.

“The new creative centre in Mumbai reflects Iberchem Group’s global business strategy to strengthen its presence in fast-growing markets such as India,” said Ramón Fernández, CEO of Iberchem Group. “It has been designed to support long-term business growth in the country, while also supporting the worldwide operations of the Group. Furthermore, not only it will enhance the collaboration between our teams and our customers, it will also help us in achieving even shorter lead times in the delivery of local projects.”

“By opening a second facility, Iberchem India reaffirms its commitment to meeting rising customer demand for leading technical services across the Indian sub-continent,” added Nikesh Budhrani, Managing Director of Iberchem Group in India. “The centre will be instrumental in supporting our customers locally with olfactive and taste expertise, thus offering closer collaboration and creating true consumer-preferred fragrances and flavours to differentiate their products in the marketplace.”

It is the second facility launched by the Group following its acquisition (70%) by French global investment company Eurazeo in 2017. After opening another creative centre in Bangkok, Thailand, Iberchem Group also announced the acquisition of the South African company Versachem in May 2018 as part of its current expansion plan.